For it is equally wrong and stupid to censure what is commendable, and to commend what is censurable.
—Gorgias
This is a good illustration of the double contrast. “Censure” is contrasted with “commend,” and “commendable” with “censurable.” When the double contrast is contained in two phrases, the first phrase being positive and the other phrase negative, the first member should be given the rising inflection, the second the falling, the third the falling, and the fourth the rising. In this way the contrast will be clearly shown and the negative and positive qualities retained; as,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.[6]
—The Bible
In this example, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth” is contrasted with “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” and as the former is negative, it requires the rising inflection, while the latter requires the falling inflection, because it is positive; “where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” is contrasted with “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal”; therefore the former, being positive, should be given the falling inflection, while the latter, being negative, should be given the rising inflection.
In the triple oppositions the inflections alternate, the first member receiving the rising inflection, the second the falling, the third the rising, the fourth the falling, the fifth the rising, and the sixth the falling; as,
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.
—Shakespeare
“She” is contrasted with the second “I,” “me” with “her,” and “dangers” with “pity.”